Joliet IL vs Schenectady NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Joliet
149,785
Joliet +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Joliet
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Joliet
15.2%
Joliet +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Joliet
52.7%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Joliet
2.1%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Joliet
34.7%
Joliet +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Joliet
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,785 | 28,542 | Joliet + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 42.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 15.2% | 6.8% | Joliet + |
| White | 52.7% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 17.0% | 3.1% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 2.1% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 34.7% | 4.7% | Joliet + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Joliet
$88,026
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Joliet
$35,820
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Joliet
$68,110
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Joliet
5.8%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Joliet
11.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Joliet
25.0%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,026 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,820 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.0% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Schenectady
$321,835
Homeownership Rate
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
Schenectady
57.5%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,637 | $321,835 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 73.1% | 57.5% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Joliet
1842
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
41.9%
Schenectady
38.6%
Schenectady +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Joliet
11.7%
Joliet +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Joliet
17.7%
Joliet +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Joliet
13.9%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Joliet
19.1%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Joliet
14.0%
Joliet +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.9% | 38.6% | Schenectady + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Joliet + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.7% | 19.2% | Joliet + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 16.9% | Joliet + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
50.6°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Joliet
36.8 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Joliet
55.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Schenectady + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Joliet
31.7 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Joliet, IL | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.7 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Schenectady scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.6%.
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